Mongolia is a type of nations that has been on my bucket record for a protracted, very very long time—in all probability since childhood. I made the beneath Mongolia itinerary a few years in the past. Not too long ago, I lastly had the chance to go to. Initially I deliberate for early October, when the climate would (nonetheless) be nice, however attributable to a delayed enterprise journey, it was rescheduled to late November. This meant winter time, with chilly temperatures and the danger of numerous snow, which might render visiting the Deer Stones on the Khoid Tamir valley not possible. The opposite website, Karakorum, is at all times accessible except there’s numerous contemporary snowfall. Would I like to recommend stepping into winter? Proceed studying to search out out why you must and how you can organize it safely.
Planning a winter journey to Mongolia
A go to to Mongolia wants some good preparation particularly in winter. The main target of my journey was on two UNESCO websites that are positioned southwest of Ulaanbaatar. I might say that the Orkhon Valley, particularly Karakorum, can at all times be reached simply if the highway is cleared often. The opposite locations of curiosity rely on snowfall. The Deer Stones within the Khoid Tamir valley could be reached from Tsetserleg if there’s not an excessive amount of new snowfall; in any other case, the highway is closed. For this, rent a 4×4 automotive with a driver who is aware of how you can drive within the snow. It’s higher to be with two folks and even two vehicles and one one who can converse the native language. In summer time this journey may simply be performed solo although.
Mongolia Visa and Flights
Mongolia has a visa-free entry choice for 30 days for lots of nationalities till the top of 2025 to advertise tourism. Do test together with your native embassy in the event you can enter without cost as effectively. I arrived on a direct flight on MIAT airways from Frankfurt. Their new B787 Dreamliner is ideal!
Because it was winter with temperatures as much as minus 26 Celsius (minus 15 Fahrenheit), I made a decision to not keep at an area camp however at a pleasant resort as a substitute. In Ulaanbaatar I stayed on the Blue Sky resort which has superior views. In Tsetserleg on the just lately opened Ashid Bekhi resort. I can advocate each.
Garments for winter in Mongolia
Ensure to deliver heat clothes in layers. I purchased particular merino wool underwear which ultimately I didn’t use. I used to be in denims, sweater and winter jacket on a regular basis. Minus 26 in Mongolia feels a lot hotter than in different areas attributable to low humidity. I solely remorse not taking correct boots as my sport sneakers weren’t your best option for heat ft. Widespread sense is required and don’t underestimate the chilly!
Now let’s have a look at the daily itinerary of this Mongolian winter expedition.
Mongolia itinerary day 1: Begin of the Mongolia winter expedition
I departed from residence early morning by prepare to Frankfurt. The direct MIAT (Mongolian Airways) flight from Frankfurt, which is only a four-hour prepare journey from my residence, was very comfy. Their new Boeing 787 Dreamliner has nice enterprise class seats. The draw back is the timing of the flight. With a day departure, it means an arrival time of about 6 AM. It was nonetheless late night again residence so sleeping was troublesome however the The Blue Sky Resort and Tower resort let me test in early to compensate for sleep. I slept until late morning.
After lunch, I had some free time to discover Ulaanbaatar. Though the capital doesn’t have that many locations of curiosity, a day is well stuffed. Simply throughout the road from the The Blue Sky Resort and Tower resort I explored the Chingis Khaan Sq.. I then continued to the The Effective Arts Zanabazar Museum and the Chinggis Khaan Nationwide Museum earlier than it was dinner time.
Dinner in Ulaanbaatar
There may be one craft beer brewery named MB Beer Plus in Ulaanbaatar so I needed to test it out. Simply a few minutes stroll from the resort. At minus 25 levels Celsius this brief stroll was alright in regular clothes. Their meals is sweet and the beer scrumptious so I like to recommend going. After testing all their beers, simply 4, I used to be again in my room early night for a very good relaxation as the approaching days can be lengthy ones.
Mongolia itinerary day 2: Ulaanbaatar to Tsetserleg with a go to to the Orkhon Valley
I like to recommend, particularly in winter, to begin early round 8 AM as highway circumstances are uncertain. All of the roads are well-paved although with some stretches a bit patchy. That’s, nevertheless, not the principle drawback throughout wintertime; it’s the snow. Though roads get cleared, will probably be a troublesome drive simply after new snow and may make reaching Tsetserleg in a day not possible.
It took approach over an hour to even depart Ulaanbaatar, however as soon as I used to be out it appeared to be an awesome drive. Clear skies, sunny with loads of snow however not on the roads. The views are superb the entire solution to Karakorum within the Orkhon Valley. It’s countless snowy steppes with snow-capped mountains within the again. Nomads have ready their winter camps and right here and there I noticed teams of horses looking for some final grass to eat.
Greatest Erdene Zuu viewpoint
It was already 2 PM once I arrived at Karakorum. Simply earlier than town on the left, there’s a nice viewpoint of the Erdene Zuu monastery. If the climate is sweet, be certain to go to it instantly as with snow, driving up turns into not possible. The following cease for the day was the Khar Balgas Ordu Baliq deep contained in the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. It’s about 20 kilometers off-road and attainable provided that there’s not an excessive amount of snow except you might be with a number of vehicles. There are ditches in every single place and the tracks will not be seen so you’ll get caught and one wants extra vehicles to tug one other out then.
Mongolia
Go to Khar Balgas Ordu Baliq
The Khar Balgas Ordu Baliq is, though fairly eroded, very spectacular. The partitions are clearly seen with its defensive towers simply outdoors the partitions. Inside, there’s a well-preserved pagoda, a effectively, and minor different constructions left. Khar Balgas, also referred to as Ordu Baliq, stood because the capital of the Uyghur Khaganate, an influential Turkic empire of the eighth and ninth centuries. Located in present-day Mongolia, it performed a pivotal function as a cease alongside the Silk Highway, reflecting its significance in commerce and diplomacy. The town, characterised by its nomadic life-style, was wealthy in cultural range, with influences from numerous religions. Its historic significance extends to its diplomatic ties with the Tang Dynasty in China. Khar Balgas stays an interesting website of ongoing excavation, shedding gentle on the colourful historical past of the Uyghur Khaganate.
The location isn’t large and a go to takes about an hour. With temperatures at minus 25 levels Celsius (about minus 15 Fahrenheit) that was lengthy sufficient. The solar was setting as effectively so a should to get again to the highway earlier than dusk.
It was one other two hours’ drive to Tsetserleg the place I arrived round 7 PM. I selected the Ashid Bekhi resort which is a brand new and fashionable resort, a bit expensive, however with the chilly climate a good selection. An area dinner I had on the Fairfield Guesthouse a block away. It began snowing within the night so the winter expedition to the Deer Stones within the Khoid Tamir valley for the following day turned uncertain.
Mongolia itinerary day 3: Mongolia winter expedition to see Deer Stones
A go to to the Deer Stone Monuments and Associated Bronze Age websites, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site, within the Khoid Tamir valley was the principle purpose of this journey. It will soak up summer time half a day however in winter it’s a protracted day, a really lengthy one. The highway from Tsetserleg to Ikh-Tamir is paved however it goes over a cross with a somewhat steep climb. This cross does shut after contemporary snowfall which I used to be afraid of would make a go to not possible right this moment. I used to be fortunate nevertheless that there was not an excessive amount of snow there and at 10 AM the cross was open. As soon as in Ikh-Tamir the ultimate stretch can be about 15 kilometers off-road.
The primary 10 kilometers had been very clean and the final 5 may have been if I didn’t take the mistaken flip. The highway follows the valley river on the left facet and earlier than the Deer Stones location there’s a mountain on the left. Behind that mountain is one other valley. In summer time one can take a left earlier than the mountain and simply drive round. In winter this was a nasty alternative. Sooner or later the highway tracks had been troublesome to observe. I needed to make new tracks which ended up in a ditch and bought utterly caught with the automotive.
Caught within the snow in Mongolia
After making an attempt to get out, which didn’t work, the very best would have been to stroll to the nomad camp that was only a kilometer or two away. Fortunately, a automotive driving the identical approach noticed me and got here to the rescue. It was a police officer and he helped the automotive to get free. He mentioned to observe him to the Deer Stones which the place close to his home. These had been nevertheless those at Jargalantyn Am, which I additionally needed to go to, and about 7 hours away. After a 45-minute drive I discovered it was the mistaken course so I rotated. The plan was to drive again across the mountain however simply earlier than it a transparent monitor to the left was seen. After a few kilometers I arrived on the vacation spot. I actually felt that wow second right here. Standing alone in the midst of nowhere surrounded by snow and mountains a Deer Stone carved centuries in the past.
Mongolian Deer Stones historical past
Deer stones are historical monoliths present in Mongolia, relationship again to the Bronze Age, primarily between 1300 and 700 BCE. They’re characterised by their carved photographs of deer, in addition to different animals and symbols. These stones had been doubtless used for ritualistic or ceremonial functions, probably as markers for graves or websites of significance. The deer stones are important archaeological finds, shedding gentle on the cultural practices and beliefs of historical nomadic societies that inhabited the area.
There are a lot of deer stones within the Khoid Tamir valley. You can’t miss them as they’re clearly seen within the panorama. These Deer Stones should be a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. They’re fantastically carved 1000’s of years in the past. Superb colours and figures, I had a number of wow moments there. I don’t remorse going there in winter because it made this go to to the center of nowhere very particular.
There are additionally numerous burial mounds that encompass the Deer Stones. Up the mountain, there’s some rock artwork as effectively however as this is able to be lined in snow I didn’t even attempt to discover it. After two or three hours exploring the world, it was time to go away and return.
Mongolia
The outdated brown coal mine
On the way in which again there’s an outdated brown coal mine. I assumed let’s test it out and make some pictures. Once I noticed a rabbit I needed to get nearer for a greater photograph however didn’t see a giant nail hidden underneath the snow. It punctured my shoe and foot. Fortunately ultimately it was a clear minimize and healed in just a few days. For such occasions I’m completely happy that I’ve all my vaccinations, like tetanus, updated. The very last thing I would like is the necessity to discover it in the midst of nowhere. I at all times carry a small med equipment on day journeys as effectively. It saved the day.
The drive again was simple and round 7 PM I used to be again on the Ashid Bekhi resort. Had the identical dinner because the day earlier than and loved some beers within the night. Mission achieved and a really lengthy drive again forward for the following day.
Mongolia itinerary day 4: Again to Ulaanbaatar
The day can be lengthy so I departed Tsetserleg round 9 AM. Leaving a lot earlier would have meant driving at the hours of darkness which isn’t advisable. The highway between Tsetserleg and Karakorum was quite a bit worse than it was two days in the past. The contemporary snow made components of the highway like an ice-skating monitor. It was a protracted drive to Karakorum the place I noticed that the tracks to Khar Balgas Ordu Baliq had been lined in snow. It will have been not possible to go to, so in the event you go to in winter, go to locations instantly while you see it’s attainable. In Karakorum, I finished on the Erdene Zuu monastery which may at all times be visited yr spherical.
Erdene Zuu historical past
Erdene Zuu Monastery, based in 1585, stands as certainly one of Mongolia’s oldest and most important monastic complexes. Constructed on the ruins of Karakorum, the previous capital of the Mongol Empire, it served as a non secular and cultural heart. Below the patronage of Altan Khan, Erdene Zuu performed a vital function within the revival of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia. Regardless of intervals of decline and suppression underneath communist rule, it stays an emblem of Mongolia’s spiritual heritage and a key attraction for pilgrims.
The enduring view outdoors from the wall and pagodas within the snow is mesmerizing. Contained in the partitions, I saved my go to brief as temperatures dropped to minus 29 Celsius (about minus 20 Fahrenheit). Fortunately I used to be simply in time to witness a brief ceremony of the monks. After warming up contained in the temple, I continued my approach again to Ulaanbaatar. The highway was with out snow.
Mongolia itinerary day 5: Flight to Beijing
The ultimate day I had an early breakfast on the Blue Sky Resort and headed to the airport. I didn’t fly again to Frankfurt however continued to Beijing for a congress. From there I continued to Jeju Island, South Korea and some different locations which I’ll cowl in one other article.
I actually loved my long-planned go to to Mongolia. The timing was dangerous however ultimately it was an awesome expertise. Karakorum and the Erdene Zuu Monastery had been nice, however the actual spotlight was the Deer Stones. They’ve superb carvings, and the setting within the snow with no one round made the go to magical. Would I return in summer time? To Mongolia, sure, however to not these Deer Stones. I might select one other location then. If you’re into an journey, go to Mongolia in winter however plan properly! I’m positive you’ll take pleasure in it.
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Gallery
Click on a picture for a full display screen gallery of extra pictures taken throughout this journey. If you happen to like to make use of any photograph for industrial, personal or editorial use please contact first for permission and/or pricing.
